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Glacier Bay National Park was completely covered by ice just 200 years ago. Explorer Captain George Vancouver found Icy Strait choked with ice in 1794. The “Y” shaped body of Glacier Bay includes 16 tidewater glaciers. 12 of them are active and calve icebergs thundering into the bay. On the east and west of the 65 mile long bay the steep mountain summits of the Chilkat and the Fairweather Ranges rise up to provide a dramatic backdrop of glaciated mountain tops. During the summertime hundreds of whales are staying in Glacier Bay to feed in the nutrient rich waters before migrating back to Hawaii. |
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| (Q.) Where is Glacier Bay National Park Located ? |
(A.) Glacier Bay National Park is located at the northern end of Southeast Alaska’s panhandle - approximately 50 miles west of Juneau. |
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| (Q.) How can I get to the National Park ? |
(A.)The only way to get to the Park is by charter or commercial aircraft and by boat. Daily air service to Gustavus is available between June and September from Juneau, Haines and Skagway, The passenger ferry operates between Juneau and Gustavus / Bartlett Cove four days a week. There are no roads to and within Glacier Bay and no Alaska Marine Highway Ferry services. |
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| (Q.) How can I visit the National Park ? |
(A.) Due to it's vast size and remote nature, the best ways to visit Glacier Bay National Park or Icy Straits is by tour boat, cruise ship or individually with kayak excursions. |
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| (Q.) When is the best time to visit Glacier Bay ? |
(A.) In May wildlife is easy to spot. Migratory birds are stopping on their way south. Spring on the average has less rain than fall and there are fewer visitors in the Bay!
In June throughout the area bears are easily spotted on shore and in mid June the whales are returning to Glacier Bay.
July and August are the most popular months. The whales are here, breaching, playing and feeding. Flowers are in full bloom.
In September fewer visitors are in park. The bears are fishing for salmon! Great for glaciers! Good time to see the Northern Lights. The birds are migrating north for good bird watching. |
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| (Q.) What will I see in Glacier Bay ? |
(A.) Visitors will encounter icebergs, wildlife, and majestic country unrivaled by any other park in Alaska. The Glacier Bay National Park area includes 16 tidewater glaciers of whom 12 actively “calving” icebergs into the bay. The show can be spectacular. As water undermines the ice fronts, great chunks of ice - up to 200 feet high - break loose and crash into the water. The Johns Hopkins Glacier calves such volumes of ice that it is seldom possible to approach its ice cliffs closer than about 2 miles. |
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| (Q.) Will I see Wildlife ? |
(A.) Glacier Bay is home to a variety of wildlife. Humpback whales, Orcas, seals, sea lions, sea otters, porpoises and numerous species of sea birds are just some of the varied marine creatures visitors can witness. In addition to the marine creatures, other commonly seen animals are mammals such as brown and black bears and moose. More than 200 species of birds found in the park include: Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, Raven, Owl, Sandhill Crane, Loon, Stellar Jay, Murre, Cormorant, Puffin and many others. |
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| (Q.) Are there any hotels directly in the National Park ? |
(A.) Only a very limited number of remote wilderness lodges are operating within the park area. Please refer to our web pages: Accommodation & Package Tour pages. |
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| (Q.) What is the weather like ? |
(A.) Summer daytime temperatures range from 45° to 65° F. Periods of rainy, cool and overcast weather is common in Southeast Alaska. The weather almanac indicated an average 153 rainy days per year with an annual rainfall of 71 inches. A sweater, hat, gloves and rain gear are recommended. Glacier Bay receives 18 1/2 hours of sunlight during the summer solstice. |
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| (Q.)What’s about outdoor activities ? |
(A.) There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating from Juneau and Gustavus. Some of the available activities include: flight seeing adventures, kayaking, whale watching, sport fishing, photography and hiking. For additional information Please refer to our sightseeing pages. |
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| (Q.) Which services are available near the park ? |
(A.) Within a few miles of the Park entrance there are lodges, restaurants, gift shops, gas stations, small convenience stores, and various other visitor related services. |
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| (Q.) What about other activities ? |
(A.) There are a number of outfitters and soft-adventure companies operating near the park boundaries. Some of the activities include: flight seeing adventures, helicopter flights, rafting, float trips, sled dog tours, evening dinner theater. Please refer to our sightseeing pages. |
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